Who Is Still Left Standing in the MLB Postseason
Twelve teams started October. Five are left, and three of them have some of the smallest payrolls in baseball.
The Wild Card round is done, three of the four Division Series are done, and the field is down to five teams. In the National League, the Brewers and Dodgers are set for an NLCS rematch starting Sunday. In the American League, the Rays are waiting to see whether they'll face the Guardians or the White Sox, who play a winner-take-all Game 5 on Saturday night.
Here's where everyone stands.
Still standing
American League
Tampa Bay Rays
Swept the Yankees 3–0 in the ALDS
Next: ALCS Game 1 at home, Monday, Oct. 12
American League
Cleveland Guardians
Came back from 0–2 to tie the ALDS 2–2
Next: ALDS Game 5 at home vs. White Sox, Saturday, Oct. 10
American League
Chicago White Sox
Swept the Astros in the Wild Card round; ALDS tied 2–2
Next: ALDS Game 5 at Cleveland, Saturday, Oct. 10
National League
Milwaukee Brewers
Beat the Padres 3–1 in the NLDS
Next: NLCS Game 1 at home vs. Dodgers, Sunday, Oct. 11
National League
Los Angeles Dodgers
Beat the Braves 3–1 in the NLDS
Next: NLCS Game 1 at Milwaukee, Sunday, Oct. 11
Already eliminated
| Round | Team | Lost to | Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card | Houston Astros | White Sox | 0–2 |
| Wild Card | Boston Red Sox | Yankees | 0–2 |
| Wild Card | Chicago Cubs | Padres | 0–2 |
| Wild Card | Philadelphia Phillies | Braves | 1–2 |
| Division Series | New York Yankees | Rays | 0–3 |
| Division Series | Atlanta Braves | Dodgers | 1–3 |
| Division Series | San Diego Padres | Brewers | 1–3 |
What's next
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Sat., Oct. 10 | ALDS Game 5: White Sox at Guardians | 8 p.m. |
| Sun., Oct. 11 | NLCS Game 1: Dodgers at Brewers | 8 p.m. |
| Mon., Oct. 12 | ALCS Game 1: Game 5 winner at Rays | 8 p.m. |
| Fri., Oct. 23 | World Series Game 1 | TBA |
The economics of it
Here's what jumps out when you line up the payrolls. The five teams still alive spent an average of about $138 million entering opening week. The seven teams already eliminated averaged about $247 million.
| Team still alive | 2026 payroll | MLB rank |
|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | $322.4M | 2nd |
| Brewers | $125.5M | 19th |
| Rays | $89.6M | 26th |
| White Sox | $83.9M | 28th |
| Guardians | $70.0M | 30th |
The entire American League side is made up of teams ranked 26th, 28th and 30th in payroll. Put the Rays, Guardians and White Sox together and they spent about $244 million, less than the Yankees spent by themselves ($301 million). Meanwhile, the Mets, baseball's biggest spender at about $358 million, didn't make the playoffs at all.
No matter what happens Saturday, the American League pennant will go to a team with one of the five smallest payrolls in the sport. In economics, that's a reminder that more spending doesn't guarantee more output. What matters is how efficiently you turn dollars into wins.
My unfiltered take
The Dodgers are still the favorite on paper, and nobody left has more October experience. But this is the most fun final five in years: a 103-win Brewers team that beat L.A. during the season, a Rays team that hasn't lost a playoff game yet, and a Guardians–White Sox Game 5 between two of the cheapest rosters in baseball. My bet for the World Series: Brewers vs. Rays. Ask me again on Saturday night.
Landrey
